40K: Stormlord vs Macharius: Vulcan Edition
It’s a tank battle for the ages – Let’s compare the Macharius Vulcan vs the Stormlord!
The Astra Militarum is the Anvil of the Imperium. When the war machine gets moving there isn’t much in the galaxy that can withstand it’s might. Two of the mightiest tools in that massive Imperial arsenal are the Macharius Vulcan and the Stormlord. Both of these tanks bring enough Dakka to bring down any inferior foes foolish enough to get in their sights.
But they share a few common traits and that’s why we here at BoLS figured it was a good idea to compare the two and see what you’re getting.
The Stormlord
With a vast transport capacity and Vulcan mega-bolter, the Stormlord is perfectly suited to the close support of infantry assaults.
The sponsons are armed with either twin-linked heavy bolters, or twin-linked heavy flamers. The turret is equipped with the infantry shredding Vulcan Mega-bolter, along with 2 heavy stubbers. For lightly armoured targets there’s a twin-linked heavy bolter mounted on the hull.
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Power Level: 27
Dakka: Two Heavy Stubbers (6 shots), Twin Heavy Bolters (6 shots) and a Vulcan Mega-Bolter (20 shots).
Extras: Extended Firing Deck – Up to 20 more models can shoot from the Stormlord, has a capacity for 40 models.
The Macharius Vulcan
The Vulcan variant of the Macharius Heavy Tank sacrifices much of the anti-armour capabilities of the Vanquisher variant for the ferocious anti-infantry firepower of the Vulcan Mega-Bolter, normally carried by Warhound-class Titans and commonly fielded to provide cover for other super-heavy tanks and suppress enemy heavy weapon positions with a devastating storm of shot and shell.
Power Level: 24
Dakka: Twin Heavy Stubbers (6 shots), Two Heavy Stubbers (6 shots) and a Macharius Vulcan Mega-Bolter (15 shots).
Extras: Macharius Vulcan Mega-Bolter – If this model dose not move, then change the number of shots to 30 until the end of the round.
Now, both models have Explode, Smoke Launchers and Steel Behemoth. The Macharius Vulcan is a little cheaper, has 1 less strength and 4 less wounds. At the same time, you’re getting 30 of those very useful Str 6 AP -2, 2 Damage shots vs 20 a turn (if you don’t move). On the flip side, the Stormlord does allow you to carry a tank-load of troopers into battle and they can assist with the shooting. How effective will that shooting be? Well, that depends but you’re also going to have to pay to have them ride along, too – and at that point is it really a “fair” comparison?
One other consideration to make is how easy it is to get a hold of these models. The Macharius Vulcan is a Forge World Model and the Stormlord is available as a GW plastic kit… For some folks, that is a pretty big issue. But regardless of that we here at BoLS thought it was an interesting comparison.
So which tank would you go with any why? Do you want the mobile firepower of the Stormlord or do you prefer the extra static shooting from the Macharius Vulcan?
